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Meir Hemmo

Publications and source records attributed to Meir Hemmo.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

Quantum Field Theory and the Measurement Problem in Quantum Mechanics

We propose a novel solution to the measurement problem based on quantum field theory and Haag's theorem. According to our proposal in elementary interactions where the particles content is changed, the temporal evolution is non unitary. These interactions which are almost instantaneous lead to a genuine stochastic selection of an outcome subspace that has a distinct particles content but can be a superposition of momentum states, spin states, etc.

quant-ph

Locality and probability in relativistic quantum theories and hidden variables quantum theories

We define criteria for a hidden variables theory to be Lorentz invariant and prove that it implies no signaling. As a result, we show that a Lorentz invariant and contextual theory (e.g., quantum field theory) must be genuinely stochastic, i.e., it cannot have a deterministic (strong or weak) hidden variables model. This proof is an improved version of a theorem we proved previously, and it has a wider scope. Finally, we show that Bell's definition of locality is equivalent to non contextuality (or strong determinism). We propose an alternative definition of locality for contextual and relativistic theories according to which quantum field theory is local.

quant-ph

Explaining the unobserved: why quantum mechanics is not only about information

A remarkable theorem by Clifton, Bub and Halvorson (2003)(CBH) characterizes quantum theory in terms of information--theoretic principles. According to Bub (2004, 2005) the philosophical significance of the theorem is that quantum theory should be regarded as a ``principle'' theory about (quantum) information rather than a ``constructive'' theory about the dynamics of quantum systems. Here we criticize Bub's principle approach arguing that if the mathematical formalism of quantum mechanics remains intact then there is no escape route from solving the measurement problem by constructive theories. We further propose a (Wigner--type) thought experiment that we argue demonstrates that quantum mechanics on the information--theoretic approach is incomplete.

quant-ph

Does Indeterminism Give Rise to an Intrinsic Time Arrow?

In any physical theory that admits true indeterminism, the thermodynamic arrow of time can arise regardless of the system's initial conditions. Hence on such theories time's arrow emerges out of the basic physical interactions. The example of the GRW theory is studied in detail.

quant-ph